Clinical research studyPrior Statin Use Is Associated with Improved Outcomes in Community-acquired Pneumonia
Section snippets
Methods
The authors conducted a prospective observational study of consecutive unselected patients admitted with radiologically confirmed community-acquired pneumonia to NHS Lothian University Hospitals Division (Edinburgh, United Kingdom) between January 2005 and November 2007. The study was approved by the Lothian Research Ethics Committee.
Patients were included in the study if they presented with a new infiltrate on a chest radiograph and had 3 or more of the following symptoms or signs: cough,
Results
The study included 1007 patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The frequency of prescription of cardiovascular drugs were as follows: aspirin: 311 patients; statins: 257 patients (Simvastatin: 185 patients; atorvastatin: 55 patients; pravastatin: 17 patients); ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists: 167 (Ramipril: 61 patients; Lisinopril: 49 patients; Perindopril: 22 patients; Trandolapril: 3 patients; Captopril: 1 patient; Losartan: 17 patients; Candesartan: 10 patients;
Discussion
Statin use is associated with a significant reduction in 30-day mortality from community-acquired pneumonia, confirming the findings of a previous retrospective study.4 In addition, statin use is associated with a reduced risk of development of complicated parapneumonic effusion or empyema as a complication of community-acquired pneumonia. This is a finding that has not previously been reported. The authors found no benefit from the prescription of aspirin, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin II
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